Thursday, December 26, 2013

Hello, my beauties! December 15th marked my favorite Uncle's 50th birthday! So, to celebrate he had the grandest of weekends with most of his family--ending with brunch at Hotel Yotel (it was so amazing!).

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

2013 was a terrible year for me, but it was a humbling and enlightening year as well. On my road to re-discovery, I'm teaching myself new ways of thinking and feeling; trying to realize that everything I do, think, and feel are all up to me. From when I rise in the morning to when I lie down at night, every decision I make is going to have some effect on me, so I'm going to make sure that the result of each one is going to make me happy.

So, here are 20 things to keep 2014 and the years after happy!

1. Let go of all thoughts that don't make you feel empowered
and strong.

2. Let go of feeling guilty for doing what you truly want to
do.

3. Let go of the fear of the unknown; take one small step
and watch the path reveal itself.

4. Let go of regrets; at one point in your life, that
“whatever” was exactly what you wanted.

5. Let go of worrying; worrying is like praying for what you
don’t want.

6. Let go of blaming anyone for anything; be accountable for
your own life. If you don’t like something, you have two choices, accept it or
change it.

7. Let go of thinking you are damaged; you matter, and the world
needs you just as you are.

What is a person to do when they fall flat? Do they just lie there for a second, trying to regain all consciousness? Do they immediately get right back up, like a stunned deer? Or do they slowly rise to a sitting position? Is there a right and wrong reaction to this kind of thing?
I'm asking because. . . Well. . . I fell. Hard. I was splattered all over the ground; on parked cars; on passing cars; on buildings, passersby, lampposts, fire hydrants, parking meters--I was splattered everywhere. There wasn't a piece of me that was left in tact. Devastation had hit me like it had never hit me before--I had lost my job. It's brave of me to sit here and type it down in this moment when just a week ago I could barely say it out loud without crying.

You'll say, "A job is just a job, you'll get another."

I'll say, "When you've put in the amount of hard work and dedication that I've put into that job, you'll understand why I'm so deeply hurt."

Life is interesting, you know, how it works. It can bring you to the bottom and then raise you high into the sky. My job wasn't the best and neither were a majority of the people, but from losing my job the way I did taught me to be forever humble and grateful for what I have--no matter how awful or amazing--a blessing is a blessing.

So, now I'm rising to my sitting position. I have slight body pains and a severe headache, but I think I'll live. I'm re-creating everything I believe in--including myself; you could say I'm on a journey of re-discovery.

Allow me to re-introduce myself *clears throat*: my name is Imani Ashante, many don't know what I love or what hobbies I keep, but they'll learn soon enough.
I am a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blogger and vlogger--welcome to my journey.